Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Marmion has issued a challenge to increase female participation in key positions in Western Australia’s resources sector.
“Increasing the number of women in executive roles will provide important leadership as Western Australia works smarter to maintain and extend our global mining and petroleum strength,” Mr Marmion said in a statement.
“With the industry facing some challenges, there is no better time than now for companies to further embrace the advantages of gender balance.”
A 2013 study conducted by the WA Chamber of Minerals and Energy found that 19% of WA’s resources sector workforce were female, 16% of whom were working in management roles, which is a significant increase from the 7% recorded in 2011.
Speaking at the Women in Energy and Resource Leadership Summit 2015, Mr Marmion said the study found that resource industry teams including women demonstrated higher levels of innovation and creativity.
He also said the study revealed that when women are part of mine site workforces, workplace relations and overall safety records improved, as did equipment care.
“To me, it’s a no-brainer. Many WA resources companies have excellent programs to encourage female employment and advancement but the industry still needs more women at the corporate level, in senior management and on site,” Mr Marmion said.
“I’m pleased to be able to say that the Department of Mines and Petroleum recognises the importance of a strong female presence across senior management, with women in the positions of Deputy Director General and Petroleum General Manager.”
The State Government recently convened the first of three WA Women’s Consultative Forums, to encourage increased female participation and promotion in key industries including resource-related engineering, science and technology.
“We’re committed to working with industry to promote women’s career pathways, which start at high school,” the Minister said.
“Next week I will announce the winners of the Minerals Research Institute of WA Odwyn Jones Awards, and I am happy to say that almost half the applicants are young women.”
